Garden Bon Bons a treat for the gardener

Published 4:00 am, Sunday, January 31, 2010

Photo: Moulton

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Garden Bonbons

Garden Bonbons

Photo: Moulton

Garden Bon Bons a treat for the gardener

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Some of us chocolate-loving Valentines are loath to admit it, but we secretly prefer a gift that doesn't set us back 50 hours on the treadmill. Garden Bon Bons have the look of handmade truffles but are actually self-contained seed balls composed of clay, compost and garden seeds. The tops are decorated with cinnamon, coffee and turmeric, which act as natural pesticides.

Anne Dowell, Seattle landscape architect with a lifelong interest in gardening, says she cooked up the idea after learning about the seed balls that guerrilla gardeners use to reclaim empty lots. The balls reminded her of truffles and the idea took off from there.

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Each box contains eight bonbons and come in an Italian Herb Selection with basil, parsley, chive and thyme, and an Herbal Tea Selection with lemon balm, chamomile, borage and stinging nettle. Simply place them on the soil in a sunny location, water and watch them grow. Start them now or keep them in a cool dry place until sunnier days arrive.